Hordeolum Workup

Author: Michael P Ehrenhaus, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD more...

Updated: Feb 15, 2012

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Laboratory Studies
Histologic Findings
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Laboratory Studies

The diagnosis is based on history and clinical examination, and cultures are not indicated in uncomplicated cases.
There is no indication to check serum lipid levels, as the association among hordeola, chalazia, and hypercholesterolemia remains unclear.

Histologic Findings

Histopathology of a hordeolum reveals an abscess or a focal collection of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and necrotic tissue.

Histologically, chalazia represent a lipogranulomatous inflammatory reaction. Histiocytes, multinucleated giant cells, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and neutrophils surround an optically clear space. This optically clear space represents lipids that were dissolved by solvents during tissue processing.

Basal cell carcinoma or sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid can be misdiagnosed clinically as a recurrent hordeolum or chalazion; therefore, histopathologic examination is very important in determining the diagnosis, especially in patients with a persistent or recurrent lesion.^[8]

Proceed to Treatment & Management

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Michael P Ehrenhaus, MD Director, Department of Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Michael P Ehrenhaus, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kirk Alexander Sturridge, MD Staff Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD Senior Surgeon, Unidad Privada de Oftalmologia CEMES

Fernando H Murillo-Lopez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Christopher J Rapuano, MD Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Cornea Service, Co-Director of Refractive Surgery Department, Wills Eye Institute

Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Consulting; Alcon Honoraria Speaking and teaching; RPS Ownership interest Other; EyeGate Pharma Consulting fee Consulting; Bausch & Lomb Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Bausch & Lomb Consulting; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Lance L Brown, OD, MD Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, George Alexandrakis, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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